- President Cyril Ramaphosa is in Maputo for a SADC meeting on the attack by insurgents in Mozambique's northern Cabo Delgado province.
- The extraordinary double troika summit was convened by Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi as chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
- The discussions would be about possible interventions by the region but the Mozambican government has been slow to accept outside help thus far.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived in Maputo ahead of a regional meeting on the attack by insurgents in Mozambique's northern Cabo Delgado province.
The Southern African Development Community's (SADC) extraordinary double troika summit was convened by Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi in his capacity as chair of the body's Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.
Officials from the six countries attending had a meeting on Wednesday in preparation for the summit.
News24 understands the possibility of military intervention from the region was discussed, but a lack of money could make this difficult.
His Excellency President @CyrilRamaphosa arrives at Maputo International Airport in Mozambique. The SADC Summit is the overall policymaking institution of SADC, & is managed on a Troika system that comprises current SADC Chair, the incoming Chair and the immediate previous Chair. pic.twitter.com/fMnmKEznb5
— Presidency | South Africa ???? (@PresidencyZA) April 8, 2021
The countries are also looking at sharing intelligence and could assist Mozambique with maritime monitoring.
Botswana's International Affairs Minister Lems Kwape told the meeting on Wednesday "no member state can or should face terrorist threats on its own" and urged the SADC region "to stand firm and united in a show of solidarity to our sister country".
“No Member State can or should face terrorist threats on its own. We need to stand firm & united, as SADC region, in a show of solidarity to our sister country, #Mozambique, says #Botswana’s Foreign Affairs Minister @Lemskwape @OfficialMasisi @FNyusi pic.twitter.com/aofx6hmpsc
— SADC Secretariat (@SADC_News) April 7, 2021
Ramaphosa is attending as the incoming chair of this body, while Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to attend because he is the previous chairperson.
READ | SA expected to urge Mozambique to accept intervention to counter insurgency at SADC summit
Six heads of state are set to attend the meeting, which is expected to be chaired by Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi, the current SADC chairperson. Former SADC chair, Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan, and the incoming chair, Malawi's President Lazarus Chakwera, are also expected to attend.
“Persistent terrorist attacks in #Mozambique, call for urgent enhanced security measures through a SADC coordinated regional approach and humanitarian support” says @DrTaxs @FNyusi @OfficialMasisi @LAZARUSCHAKWERA @CyrilRamaphosa @SABCNews @southerntimesa @BBCAfrica @AJENews pic.twitter.com/uoRlL0Wm8l
— SADC Secretariat (@SADC_News) April 7, 2021
The insurgency started three years ago and the Mozambican government has been slow to accept assistance.
A recent attack on the town of Palma, near Total's newly established multi-billion rand liquefied natural gas project, has drawn international attention to the crisis again.
Insurgents ransacked the town and killed locals in their homes, and also attacked foreign contractors for the first time since the start of the insurgency.
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